OK group, I will be putting a "girdled" stage 2 in a 65 Skylark, I have been told I will have oil pan to frame cross member problems, I know I have to either redo the cross member, or section it in half. Now here's the question, "How hard would it be to ditch the stock steering set up and put in a rack and pinion unit "? I have the stock front frame, not tubes, but it seems like it might not be to difficult, or expensive, I already have to mess with the X-member so why not. I haven't seen this done, I know that it has been done, if you have any pictures, please send them to me for an example. The car will be 99% race car with nitrous, and hope to run in the low 9 sec. range, any input will be greatly appreciated. By looking at a stock Mustang rack, it looks "do-able". Gary G
The main concern is "bumpsteer" We spent some time lining up all the pivot pointsd of the front control arms and the rack. we also went the "overkill" route by re-making the steering arms and cutting and narrowing the rack itself.This went a long way to help tune out the bumpsteer. It's "do-able" but probably not the easiest thing you'll ever do. Notice the x-member too
take heed in what's said! Gary G. If your looking for info on a "killer" set-up it's got to be Gary K's setup. without a doubt he "hase" done his homework. seen it , saw it ,wathched it launch, straight shooter!! Best of Luck!! Bruce
Thanks guys,the compliments make it all worthwhile. Bruce got a little of the "Dan touch" put on his car,came out real good.Nice car deserves,good fabrication.
OK, Bump steer, I've heard this term several years back while talking with a guy who was racing a Duster in NHRA Stock class, said he'd spent alot of money getting the front end redone to eliminate that, but now I don't remember what it is, and was this something that you considered first, or did you have to worry about it after you did the conversion? What was your plan of attacK? "I can put a rack and pinion in here...." did it, then had problems, or what? By the way it looks great. Did you use an after market rack? Did you have help from a chassis guy, or are you another very talented Buick Guy! You're right, it's looking harder than I thought, but hasn't scared me off...yet. GaryG
OK...Bumpsteer is when the front wheel toe in/out as the suspension goes through it travel. Almost every car has it,if it is too much the car can become ill handling as you travel the quarter mile,especially deceleration. The pivot points of the tie rod and the lower control arms have to be in line to start,this will minimize the amount of work needed to reduce the bumpsteer. On my car we narrowed the rack so that the pivot point of the tie rod "split the difference" between the lower control arm bushings since they are not inline w/ each other. The most common method of tuning out bumpsteer is raising or lowering the attach point of the tie rod end at the wheel(steering knuckle).We got mine to a good point then remade the steering arm rather than use spacers. Don't get scared away,it's worth the time to do. I'm lucky,I'm good friends with a guy that builds chassis every day so he did mine w/ me over his shoulder. I learned alot in the 2 1/2 years we did my car What my car started with was the theory....."If I might want to have it done to the car in the future,we're doing it now". The end result reflects a well planned,good working car that is ready for whatever motor I can build. Alot of it was overkill at the time but we won't need to go back and rebuild the car as the power level progresses. The goal is to make a few 8 second passes w/ this car and be able to enjoy LOCALLY on the street,with max-effort at the track. Just take your time,and remember...OVERKILL is more money now,but saves in the future.
more questions What do you have done to your chassis besides the hoop and the rack? Is your frame boxed, and what is your rear suspension setup? do you have pictures? Thanks
